Steamup Posted July 25, 2023 Share Posted July 25, 2023 After almost running out of old stock Solartex during my last build. I swore that I would not put myself in that position again. I looked for an alternative and quickly realised that options are limited. I then stumbled on a YouTuber who had used 100% polyester. It shrinks when heated with an iron or heat gun the only problem was how to stick it to the airframe. After some experiments I discovered that Mod Podge applied and allowed to dry would reactive when heat was applied through the polyester via an iron. Shrinking via a heat gun and a couple of coats of 50/50 mix shrinking dope and thinners does the job ready for a paint scheme. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 The chairman of my old club in England used polyester dress lining on his cumulus. Several modellers have used tissue over doculam. I have often wondered if polyester over doculam would save on dope. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 Interesting, I will have a look to see where I can get some, I have some silk dress lining but much too heavy, have you the specifications exact of it and his glue ?. I do love the Geordie accent,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff2wings Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 My powerhouse done in the same, works well easier than nylon and takes less dope to fill the weave 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 What's 'Mod Podge'? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 1 hour ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: I will have a look to see where I can get some, Your wardrobe Paul? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laird Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 I have moved on from poly dress lining to polyester faux silk - a bit lighter and easier to work with. the white is stunning. I will post a pic later. price is much same at less than £2 per running meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 31 minutes ago, Ron Gray said: Your wardrobe Paul? I can't find my wedding dress,,,😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 Yes , what is mod podge ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamup Posted July 26, 2023 Author Share Posted July 26, 2023 Mod podge is a water based glue, sealer and finisher. Gorilla glue works much the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamup Posted July 26, 2023 Author Share Posted July 26, 2023 4 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Interesting, I will have a look to see where I can get some, I have some silk dress lining but much too heavy, have you the specifications exact of it and his glue ?. I do love the Geordie accent,,, Wow, the lining weight is 60g/m2 so very favourable to Oratex at a fraction of the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hazell 1 Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 6 hours ago, jeff2wings said: My powerhouse done in the same, works well easier than nylon and takes less dope to fill the weave Ooh, I picked up a kit from a former club member who has sadly passed away. I aim to get on and build it at some point in the next year or so, will think about using some poly silk or similar: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laird Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 (edited) Attached are some photos of my Frog Zephyr enlarged to 66" span for R/C. It is covered in doped on polyester faux silk over laminating film. Less dope is required over the film which reduces the amount needed to seal the silk which has a close weave anyway. Laminating film is used as it comes with a light coating of glue to attach it to the frame. I then heat shrink the film to tighten up to stiffen the frame and take out any wrinkles. The faux silk is cut oversize and doped directly onto the film using thinned dope. Dope onto the excess material since when it dries, I cut it off leaving about 1/8" excess. I smear a tiny amount of Impex fast tack onto this excess and press it onto the frame. It wont stick. This is simply to ensure both sides have the smear of tack. Allow to dry - at least 15 mins, then use a modelling iron to heat and press the material down onto the frame to seal the edges. Another coat of thinned dope (30/70 dope/thinners) just to dirt proof the covering. Any wrinkle can generally be shrunk out with the iron. I iron - low heat - any wrinkles on the faux silk before using it. The impex glue is a dress making glue and has a spout to apply it - use a thin pin to pierce the nozzle to minimze the amount applied. Easier then balsaloc. One wing of the Zephyr had been covered with doped on white tissue and you can see the difference in translucence Edited July 26, 2023 by John Laird unnecessary picture 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamup Posted July 26, 2023 Author Share Posted July 26, 2023 Really interesting I'll sure experiment with the techniques you have described the model looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 So by polyester dress lining you do not mean peel ply I assume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamup Posted July 26, 2023 Author Share Posted July 26, 2023 37 minutes ago, Martin McIntosh said: So by polyester dress lining you do not mean peel ply I assume? It's 100% polyester used for lining dresses available in multiple colours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 A lovely range of colours in faux silk too... https://www.fabric-online.co.uk/product/faux-silk/?utm_source=Google+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=AP+Feed&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSVHzMGgyqwbKWT_jqZAkvWMHYyWTEM9wjuRzQ9vwS9pFH1THWyzAH4aAtyHEALw_wcB&attribute_col=Azure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamup Posted July 26, 2023 Author Share Posted July 26, 2023 12 minutes ago, David perry 1 said: A lovely range of colours in faux silk too... https://www.fabric-online.co.uk/product/faux-silk/?utm_source=Google+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=AP+Feed&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiIOmBhDjARIsAP6YhSVHzMGgyqwbKWT_jqZAkvWMHYyWTEM9wjuRzQ9vwS9pFH1THWyzAH4aAtyHEALw_wcB&attribute_col=Azure Have a vintage Falcon project in mind crying out for a nice colourful finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laird Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 I got my white faux silk at fabricland - priced at £1.45 / metre 114 cm wide. might be one near you , if not they do mail order but check postage against amount purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted July 26, 2023 Share Posted July 26, 2023 (edited) Fabricland sell on line too. Ive used them for years for my antenna business. Excellent service really. Thanks for the tip though. Heres fabricland https://fabricland.co.uk/?s=Faux+silk&post_type=product Edited July 26, 2023 by David perry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted July 28, 2023 Share Posted July 28, 2023 Also known as 'habotai' (spellings vary) silk. Lots of places sell it, some remarkably cheap. You need the stuff that weighs 41gsm. @David perry 1- re fabricland; antennas? Intrigued! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted July 28, 2023 Share Posted July 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Mike T said: @David perry 1- re fabricland; antennas? Intrigued! Bantenna.co.uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.